Home Affairs Minister Len Norman – who has been in the role for about two months – said that cyber-crime was one of the biggest threats to the Island’s thriving finance industry and added that he was keen to ensure that the laws provide enough flexibility to cope with changes in technology.
According to statistics published in the States police’s annual report, there were 29 recorded cyber-crimes in 2017 – up by four from the year before. And last year, the Jersey Financial Services Commission reported that up to 4,000 attempted online attacks were being made each day targeting companies in Jersey.
Mr Norman, who was elected unopposed as Home Affairs Minister, said that departmental officers were working on updating the current law so that it could be brought before the Assembly soon after the summer recess. He said: ‘One of things we are working on is a new cyber-crime law to protect the integrity of the Island’s finance industry, in particular.
‘Technology moves so quickly and we have to make sure the Island is protected against these sorts of crimes as we are seeing more and more threats. It has got to be something that can be future-proofed as much as possible.
‘I am hoping we can debate that in October. There are certain things in it that people will have questions about but I think we are getting the balance right.
‘A few years ago nobody was really talking about cyber-crime but it is now a major issue.’
Mr Norman added that he was also looking to make changes to the Island’s Public Order Law, which relates to anti-social behaviour.
He said: ‘When it comes to the Public Order Law, prejudice is a nasty thing so we need to make sure our laws are up-to-date and protect people.
‘The other thing I’m interested in is the regulation or fireworks which can cause a lot of distress to people – particularly those with pets.
‘There needs to be an element of a soft-touch approach but people need to be aware of when and where these displays are likely to happen and when they are appropriate.’
The St Clement Constable said it was an ‘exciting time’ for the department as a number of senior positions within the services needed to be filled.
He added that it had been ‘a pleasure to follow’ his predecessor Senator Kristina Moore and former assistant minister Deidre Mezbourian as he has ‘inherited a well-organised department’ but said there was still plenty of work to do.
